Tokyo - between Culture and Modern

The land of contrasts Japan is called – and so was my ride being in Tokyo this late summer. A ride inbetween Culture and Modern as i was hitting 2 locations which cannot be more appart of their age.

After flying in from Taichung Bike Week in Taiwan, I spent the weekend in Tokyo and decided to do an unforgettable ride, despite the weather forecast predicting rain. To my surprise, the conditions turned out better than expected, so I reached out to Cycle Trip, my preferred rental shop in Tokyo. I planned a local city loop and turned it into a sightseeing ride.
I started near the rental shop and visited one of Tokyo's most iconic landmarks, Asakusa Temple. Before heading out, I needed to buy a universal mount for my bike to use Komoot for navigation. Although I had visited Asakusa before, riding there on a road bike gave me a fresh perspective and some great photos. The energy of the place, along with the distinct smell of incense, made it an unforgettable experience. After a brief stop, I moved on to the next tourist highlight across the river.
The Tokyo Skytree, standing at 634 meters, is a stunning contrast to Asakusa's historic charm. Its immense size left me in awe, especially when foggy conditions made the top nearly invisible. As I got closer, the sheer scale of the structure became even more impressive, complete with a shopping center and a high-speed elevator to the observation deck. A few more photos, and it was time to get into the ride.
I continued along the Arakawa River, following a bike path with a tailwind that made the first part of the ride easy. I passed many local cyclists training along the route, offering a glimpse into Japan’s cycling culture. Reaching the northernmost point at Nishi, I crossed the river and began heading back towards downtown Tokyo. The return leg was challenging, with a strong headwind making it uncomfortable at times, but the ride ended with a smooth, flat route that blended Tokyo’s culture and modernity into a perfect cycling experience.

bike: Factor Ostro Vam – Hatsune Miku Edition
starring: Gerry Samer